Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-05-27
From Pee Dee.

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Something more than week since
IL was the writer's good fortune to be
at Mr.. Ben Nance's fine mills on Little
River. About 7 O'Clock in the morn
ing Mr.. w. v. Reeves, with a
party of friends made their appear
ance with rod and line and 2 buckets
of minnows. We soon decided what
their business was. Mr.. Reeves
ownrs a small boat which lay at the
landing above the mill lam. And
when he extended us an invitation To
have a seat and accompany his party
up the river, we did so with pleasure
There were six in the party and we
all rigged one rod each and CON-
menced TO try for the finny tribe that
we knew inhabited the mysterious
depths of Nance's mill-pond. Tie
first point we made was celebrated
spring that emptied in the pond some
4 TO 6 feet under water. But we did
not tarry here long. The fish are
taken here in considerable quantities
during the winter months. There is
but one approach to this point and
this very difficult. Mr.. Reeves told
Of some fishermen taking bath at
this place some few years ago one
cold frosty morning very much
against their wishes. The bluff is
about 20 or 30 feet high and covered
with ferns and vines ofdiflerent kinds
and very pretty scene is presented.
On our left just above here are some
beautiful cliffs, some 60 feet high,
which are grand. Here some 30 feet
from the water'is the mouth of a
yawning cavern in which noted
chieftain was known to spend his
nights during the late war. The
scenery is splendid here also. just
above here the river makes graceful
sweep TO our right and is very deep.
In this bend and in this deep water
there has lived for years tremen-
dious cat fish that bids defiance to
the fiching tackle that is' ordinarily
used and has been known to break
chalk line like IL was mere thread.
AS we ascend, the cliffs grow more
magnificent and imposing and reach
a greater height. At the bend we
whirl by at the rate of about hours
to the mile and discover Mr.. Kirtly
Twyman and r. III. McGaughey try
ing for trout. But we pass so swiftly
Mr.. Twyman fails TO see us. Further
up where the cliffs are very high and
perpendicular Mr.. Reeves having the
sharpest eye discovers dead sheep,
lodged on projecting rock midway
between the top of the cliffs and the
water, at q point that q squirrel
would be puzzled to reach. Wesur-
mized that it had fallen over the cliffs
TO escape dogs. About 2 miles furth-
er up the cliffs become grand, gloomy
and sublime. They are perforated
with caverns the mouths of which
are inaccessible TO man. They ap-
pear to be fitting abode for the
tabled FAIRIES. If there Is any poetry
in mans soul this view will arouse
1t. Still further is the celebrated
sheep cave where these animals are
want TO shelter themselves from the
winter storms. They reach IL by a
path that is dangerous for man 10
traverse. just above here we land
in beautiful dell and par
take of an excellent and substantial
lunch with the usual trimmings OF
rake, pickles &c. 5F 4
After resting and straitening our
limbs for an hour or so we re-embark-
ed and tloated down the river to the
mill again discovering new beauties
and points of interest at each turn.
During our trip We were the recipi-
ants of many favors and kindnesses
~ the hands of Mr.. Ben Nance, Mr.
Farnsworth, Mr.. Reeves and in fact
every one we met seemed anxious 10
extend kind treatment and favorf.
This occasion will ever be green
spot in our memory. A. w. p.